Firearm.



J. 0. WHITE.

FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1912.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MN m l I l 1 III. n1

N UMN W Q J. 0. WHITE.

FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22,1912.

Patented Sept. 16, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. 0. WHITE.

, FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1912.

Patented Sept. 16,1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' Jul/@7022, M 1

minim c: time, r ana ram; asserts re wane-meme 30mm, dnr ms A C'dR'PoiRA'rwn or MAssAcnUsEr'rs.

Manama.-

awa t-a2.

Patented Sept. 16, 191*3,

Ah u'oanon filed-May 22; 13912. Serial no. 698,939.

To all whom; it may concern v Be it knownthat 1, Joanna G1 Warm, of Chelsea, in the ooimty oi Suffolk? and Stateof Massachusetts, hiaNc inventeda; new and;

useful Firearm: ott'whichi the i ol lowing' is a! specification:

Most firearms designated as automatic 01 semi-automatic which have been constructed returning to' its normal position",- and the breech closing. member retreating for the: purpose at reloading. This mov'ability" of the barrel with reference to'the fra'me' affects injm'iouslyi the serviceableiies's; 025. the a'rm' and its accuracy? of fire, especiallyin the case ofmilitary andsporting riflias. v Second, those having. a vented barrel; In these arms ai vent or gas port is provided not fan-from the miizzle, and through this port gas is drivenby theinternal pressure intoa tube carrying a pistoni or against a lever, and thus operates the' breech nieeha-- nism.

Third,.those in which the bacliwa'rd move ment of the breech closing member under I i the pressure of the gases inthe barrel is to the frame, and emplhying cart-ridgesof type now in common use. The sightsare attached to the barrel-inthe usual way, and?the barrel having.- no movement withrespect to the framing-accuracy offire is secured-inias'highkdegree as in-the case of any firearm yet constructed. The Weight ofarifie constructed under this system', and employing cartridges of the highest power, would exceed by only a few ounces, if at all, the weight of a hand-operated magazine rifle employing the same cartridges.

In some classes of arms practibal utility requires that the weight of the pairts composiiig the breech closing mechanism shbfild' be kept at the lowest possible point. In

such arms it isoften desired to employ car;

tridges of the greatest power, inthe use of which the prom-re of the gases in the barrelat the moment of discharge is very great. Inothe'r a rms'the use of cartridges of moderate 0r lbw power admits the employment of breech closing mechanism of less weight and greater sim tlicit'y. In all these classes of arms the automatic breech mechanism herein described may be employed, the form of breech locking member shown in- Fig. 9 or 15 for instance, being adapted for arms using cartridges of moderate power, while the form shown in Figs; 6 or 10 may be preferable where" the use of ammunition of the highest power is desired in an arm ofthe least practicable weight.

Inasmuch as the gas pressure following the ignitionof the powder Gha-rge varies" greatly in different arms, employingcar- ,tridg-esofdiiferent power, it may be desirable to delay the extraction of the empty cartridge shell in some cases more than in others, to await a partial abatement of the gas pressure. 'l o efi -ect this purpose I employ an extractor having a certain longitudinal movement with reference to the.

breech closer, which admits of the rearward movement of the breech closer for a predetermined distance before the withdrawal of the cartridge shel-lfrom the chamber is eifecte'd by the extractor. For the purpose of further delaying the extraction of the shell, in cases where it may be desirable, using the formofbr'eeoh locking member shown in Fig. 1-0, I provide a striker attached to said member, the striker being so constructed that after'therotation of said member fornearly the entire distance which it is freeto rotate the-striker delivers a blow againstan' abutment provided on the breech closer, (or onthe extractor, as in Fig-11) and by theblo-w drives the breech closer backward, fully opening. the breech mechanism and extracting the shell. In addition to the delay of extraction incident to the necessity for the breech locking member to make its rotation before delivering its blow by means of the striker, I stillfurther delay the extraction in some cases by the use of a spring attached to said striker as shown, or-v it may be attached to said abutment, or both.

This delayed extraction is an important feature of my invention.

The invention is herein shown as embodied in a gas-operated magazine rifle, adapted for the use of a foot soldier or sportsman. It will be understood, however, that it is not intended to restrict the present invention to a rifle for such use, nor to any articular kind of firearm, nor to the combination of the several features in a single structure, but the invention is equally applicable to pistols and other hand wea ons, aswell as to firearms commonl designated as ordnance; and it is app icable to firearms. in which the operations of reloading are accomplished in 'part automatically and in part by hand, as well as to firearms in which the operations of both reloading and'firing are fully accomplished automatically.

In some arms the upper-portion of the outer structure in rearof the barrel, sometimes called the receiver, isstationary, a breech block with usually "a longitudinal movement being mounted movably within it; in others the upper portion of the said outerstructure has a longitudinal movement of its own with relation to the *frame. In viewof the many forms of firearms to which-:- my invention is applicable,,and to avoid confusion of terms, I describe herein: the stationary receiver, as well as the frame', as the casing and I describe thevbreech block, movable receiver, or other-movablemember which performs thefu'nction 6f closing the breech, or supporting the head of the car.- tridge at the moment of firing, as the f breech closer. t v

- In" the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a firearm' embodying features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan of the portion of the firearm shown in Fig.1; Fig. 3 is a detail relating to the trigger mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail of the breech mechanism showing the side opposite to that shown in Fig. '1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, of a -modified form of'breech closer controlling devices; Fig. 6' is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a firearm em bodying another form of my invention; Fig.

7 "is a sectional detail of the breech closer shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 7 Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are fragmentary views showing other forms of my invention; Fig. 13 is a perspective of the locking member shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 14 is a detail of the breech closer shown in Fig.

' cartridge.

6; Fig. 15' is a view illustrating my inven tion applied to a pistol; Fig. 16' is a partial section on l1ne 1616 of Fig. 12; Fig. 17 is a plan of the roll of Fig. 1; and Fig. 18 isa plan of the roll of Fig. 9 provided with trunnions. Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate another form of my invention.

In Fig. 1 barrel A has screw threaded connection with casing B in which the breech closer D is mounted to reciprocate the latter being guided by grooves d and d in the casing. The usual breech closing spring E partially encircles rod E whichhas collar E to form one abutment for the spring, the other abutment being within the breech closer. The rod E extends into pivoted hook E whose hook portion engages a shoulder on cover E, there being an aperture in the cover at Eto furnish access to the hook member for the purpose of unfastening the cover so that it may be swung on its pivot E and this unhooking might readily be done by pressin the end of a cartridge through aperture to unhook the hook. It is desirable to use two breech closing springs like E as indicated in Fig. 8. Breech closer D is shown'indetail in Fig. 7 and carries firing F havin a contracted portion 7 for engagement wit sear is and also a contracted-portion for engagement with one end of the thum piece to be hereinafter described. At' -its rear end the firing pin has collar f forming one abutment for spring f the other abutment being the inner wall of cap j which is screwed into the breech closer. Mounted in the breech closer is ex- .tractor G having a'slot g in its upper edge toreceive screw g, whlch is fixed to the breech closer, and thereby provide relative longitudinal -movement between the extractor and the breech closer, the said move ment being limited by the engagement be tween the screw and the end walls of said slot. Spring 2 is provided to press the extractor norma ly-downward but allowing it to snap over the head of the cartridge. Pivoted to the breech closerat g is a lever to cook the firing pin, one'end engaging collar f and the other end being accessible through opening g in the breech closer and having an enlarged portion 9 for a bearing for the thumb in case hand cooking is desired. Groove gfis provided so that the lower portion of the cartridge shell may engage'abutment 9 for completing the ejection of'the I The locking roll H consists of two cylindrical parts It k' having between them portion 123, this portion having a flat surface k to engage the rear of the breech closer. This member H is mounted in cylindrical portions in or on the casing and its cylindrical parts 'frictionally engage the casing. The locking roll H has a pin k engaging a slot h in. link h which is mounted to slide on leraetc pin b, said pin forming one abutment of spring it the other abutment being a collar it" at the end of link It. In itsrearward movement the breech closer strikes lug k on bufier K the latter being mounted to close one end of chamber 1: said buffer sliding in chamber is and engaging spring k to yieldingly stop the rearward movement of the breech closer. Extending from'the rear of the chamber is air conduitk which leads to the breech chamber for the purpose of driving Otllt the residuum of the powder charge after its explosion. Sear .k is operated (as will be more fully described below) by lever which is pivoted at and has a lug k forming one abutment of spring 10 the other abutment of which spring is lug is on the casing. Slot it provides tor movement lever A with reference to pin is and said lever has an open slot is at its rear end to receive pin 70 at one end of trigger in said trigger being pivoted at is and having finger portion 10 within trigger guard 7c.

The magazine L is suit-ably connected to the casing and has within it spring Z and follower Z to force the cartridge G upward in a well known manner. Slidably mounted on the breech closer is member (i connected through the casing with handle dt" (see Figs.

2 and t) said member d having capacity for longitudinal movement with reference to the breech closer to engage face 71 of member H considerably further from the axis of rotation than the engagement betwecn'the mam portion of the breech closer said face, the purpose of this construction being to make it easier to turn the roll in Case the breech closer is to be withdrawn by hand, it being clear that a pull on handle d will exertpressure on the roll at a considerable dlS- ta-nce from its axis, which will easily turn the roll, whereupon the Whole breech closer may be pulled back.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a portion of mech anism embodying my invention in which the breech closer D engages a shoulder on look ing member H, the latter being pivoted at h with its rear end bearing n top of lever H loosely pivoted at Ja and having a recess k and .a step is to receive one arm h of lever 72. pivoted at 72. The lower face of lever H bears upon two spring abutments It" and h the former exerting its stress upwardly to the right of h and the latter to the left of said pivot. When the breech closer moves rearwardly it tends to turn member H and thereby forces lever H downwardly on its pivot whereupon arm h will ride over upon step it, arm h being held down by spring is. The pivot of member H is now at the point of engagement between said step and the end h and therefore spring abutment it has no opportuni-ty to act but spring ab tment h acts to raise member H and force its upper end somewhat td the allowing the end of member H to swing downwardly and -al-.

lowing the breech closer to pass to the rear, spring abutment It acting as a buffer for member H which is returned to its former position by spring h. By raising arm k disengagement of end It and step h is had and member H is free to resume the position shown in F ig. 5. 1

Fig. 6 shows another form of my invention and here the breech closer M has a pin m riding in a slot in extractor m the end of the latter being 1pressed down by spring m attached to t e breech closer.

with provision for longitudinal movement with relation to the latter and I also provide an auxiliary or secondary firing pin mounted for longitudinal movement in looking roll M, this secondary firing pin being indicated at m. The roll M has trunnions m (see Fig. 13-) which bear in the casing, and the outer surface of the roll does not bear against the casing inwhich member M is mounted to move about its axis so that the resistance to turning is relatively more due to inertia than with the roll mounted as in F ig'. 1. Connected at m to roll M is red msurrounded by spring m the latter having one abutment within cap m the latter being pivoted to the casing. The return sprin for the breech closer, is shown at N and 1 ars against collar n on member 1a. the collar being within tubular member n and adapted to reciprocate therein. Member at is pivotally connected to link 09, which in turn is pivotally connected at n to the projection of of the breech closer M (see Fig. 14). Hammer P pivoted to shaft p is pivotally connected at p with arm 2 which has shoulder forming one abutment of sprin the other abutment being portion 29 0% the casing. Arm p is notched at p and its end The main firmgpm M is mounted in the breech closer passes through an opening in portion 32 so that when the arm is movedto the right in Fig. 6 the notch p will engage shoulder 79 to cook the hammer, shoulder p" being allowed to slide and be normally pressed downwardly by sprin p. Pivoted at p is trigger p which midway between its ends is 'pivotally connected at p to a lever 9 one of whose ends p engages spring 2 whose other abutment is the casing. The last-mentioned lever has .a square shoulder p which engages a shoulder p on p, the

outer end of said lever engaging member n near the outer side of collar n. P is a member for cooking the hammer :by hand, and is the locking roll carrying finger piece 1' which is outside ofthe casing and accessible for hand turning of the locking roll. Link 1' is pivoted at r to the lockin roll and its forward end is an abutment or spring 1' whose other abutment is at r, the spring tending to turn the. roll to the position shown. In this form it will be noted that the roll spring is to be located beneath the.

barrel (not shown). The trigger 1" is pivoted at r and one end is pivotally connected at r to push bar 4' connected by sprin r to a fixed point r. The forward en of push bar 7 is sloped to ride upward on pin 1' and the lower side is notched at 1' to engage one end 1' of lever 7 pivoted at 7' whose other end 1' engages notch r orain roll R. End 1' is connected by spring 1' to fixed point 1*".

Mounted for longitudinal movement on breech closer R is extractorr having an integral ofiset portion 7*" which acts as a backing for the primer to prevent 1t being driven from its pocket by the pressure of the gases. I

When the trigger 1" is pulled push bar 1' is advanced and forces 7 out of the notch in roll R and when the trigger is released push bar 1* is drawn back by sprm r so that spring 1* may act on end 9" an there by swing end 7' into position to engage the notches on the roll R.

In Fig. 10 I have illustrated a striker R pivoted to the locking roll at r and bearlng against a spring 1' whose abutment 18 W? fixed to the roll so that when the roll revolves the striker will strike a yielding blow on lug r fixed on the breech closer and thereby give a sharp blow, which w1ll be communicated to the extractor and thereby operate the latter, and in the referred form the arm R strikes lugr be ore the breech closer has completed its independent movement relatively to the extractor and thereby causes relative movement between thebreech ency of the closer and extractor.

In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a modification in which screw S is fixedly attached to the breech closer s and slides in slots in the extractor s spring 8 allowingfor slight vertical play between the extractor and breech closer. Lu .9 is provided on the extractor to be struc by the striker s, which is substantially the same as striker R already described. In the form of Fig. 11 it will be seen that there is relatively more inertia in the mass of the extractor than in the extractor of Figs. 7 or 9 andthis is desirable with some cartridges in order to accomplish the best results.

- In Fig. 12 I show a modification in which pin T on the breech closer rides in slot 25 on the locking-roll and thereby makes sure that when the breech closer is in its forward position the 'roll will be in the osition shown. Moreover ribs t on the breec closer ride in slots t on the roll (only one being shown), the said ribs entering the slots 25 before the pin T has left the slot t, and thus holding the locking roll stationary during the'furtherlretreat of the breech closer. On the return forward of the breech closer the pin-T engages slot't, and thus turns the roll into the'position shown.

' In Fig. .3 I show a detail of the trigger mechanism, of Fig. 7 Locking roll H has a notch h to engage pin h on lever is so that when the trigger is pulled the slotted end of lever-k" Wlll be lowered, said lever turningonits pivot k" and pin it moving upwiird and to -the right entering notch k its upward movement operating sear It to release-the firing pin. If however the looking roll is not in the position shown the pin 'h will engagethe periphery of the roll-and it therefore cannot move farther to the right and consequently can not move upward to engage the sear, with the result that the arm can not be fired unless the locking roll is in the position shown.

In Fig. 15 I show my invention applied to a pistol in which the breech closer abuts against rotary locking member a pivoted in the casing and-frictionally engaging the latter at a For the purpose of further explaining the method of operation of a firearm constructed on the system herein described, let it be assumed that a rifle of the form showgn in Fig. 6 is ready to be fired, the magazine containing cartridges and a cartridge being in place in the chamber of the barrel. The hammer being released by pressure'on the trigger the firing pin communicates a blow "to the primer and the powder charge is exloded. The pressure of the powder gases in the barrel imparts a forward impulse to the bullet, and at the same time a rearward movement to the breech closer against the breech lockin member. The normal tendreech locking member under this. pressure is to rotate on its trunnions, but this tendency is momentarily overcome .in part by the friction between thetrunnions and the casing under the pressure and in part by the inertia of the breech locking member. It will be readily understood that if the lowest-point of contact "between the breech closer and the breech locking member is too near the axis of the latter the breech mechanism will not open under the pressure of the gases;- on the other hand, if it is too high the mechanism will open prematurely and with violence. It is easy by ex-' periment to ascertain the proper and safe point of contact in the case of any given cartridge, taking into consideration the combined resistance of friction and-inertia on acres driven forward by the gas pressure and has left the barrel of the rifle.

In its retreat the breech closer extracts and ejects the empty cartridge shell, cooks the hammer, and passes to the rear of the head of the topmost cartridge in the magazinc, comprcsslngthe retracter spring as It moves backward. After its retreat is arrested by the frame or better, the breech closer is driven forward by the retractoir spring, pushing the topmost cartridge from the magazine into the chamber. The breech locking member returns to its normally closed position by the action of its spring, leaving the weapon ready to be fired again by another pressure on the trigger.

In Figs. 19 and 20 I show a form of my invention in which two rolls W are used (one only being shown), each roll having a portion on to retard the opening of the breech closer w" having the extracting lug 10 and having portion 10 carrying spring pin to to strike shoulder as on the breech closer when the roll has partially rotated, this striking giving a rearward impulse to the breech closer.

Roll W has a flange to prevent inward movement and is held against outward movement by cover w which has a recess to receive trunnion w.

I show two rolls which I consider the preferrcd form but the use of one roll would be clearly within the scope of my invention.v

The practical advantages of this form are .the reduction of length required for the breech mechanism, and also the reduction of weight of the firearm.

What I claim is:

1. A firearm comprising a breech closer; a member to retard the opening of the breech closer and rotatable to strike the breech closer to aid in opening the latter, after the pressure of the gases in the barrel has fallen to the desired point.

2. A firearm comprising a breech closer; a member to retard the opening of the breech closer and rotatable to yieldingly strike the breech closer to aid in opening the latter,-

after the pressure of the gases in the barrel has fallen to the desired point.

3. A firearm comprising a breech closer; an extractor operated by the breech closer but having provision for longitudinal movement with relation thereto; and ,a member to retard the opening of the breech closer and rotatable to strike the breech closer andthereby cause relative movement between the breech closer and extractor.

4:. A firearm comprising a breech closer; a rotary member to retard the opening of the breech closer, the engagement between the breech closer and said member being near the center of rotation of the latter; and

'a hand-operated member movably mounted on the breech closer and enga 1g said member farther from its center 0 rotation than the engagement first mentioned.

5. A firearm comprising an exterior having an oifset backing for a primer; and a breech closer to operate the extractor and having provision for longitudinal movement with relation thereto.

6. A firearm comprising an extractor having an ofi'set backing for a primer; and a breech closer to operate the extractor but leaving the latter stationary during apor tion of the opening movement of the breech closer.

7. A firearm comprising a breech closer; an extractor operated by the breech chaser, but remaining stationary during a: portion of the opening movement of the breech closer; and a member to retard the opening of the breech closer but rotatable to strike the latter and thereby operate the extractor after the pressure of the gases in the barrel has fallen to the desired point;

8. A firearm comprising a breech closer;

an extractor operated by the breech closer under the influence of gas pressure; a momher to momentarily lock the breech closer against opening, said member having relatively small trunnions upon which it rotates on said casing and having also a passage for the breech closer; means to move the breech closer to its closed position; and means to move the rotatable member to its locking position. 7

10. A firearm comprising a casing; a breech closer mounted to reciprocate on the casing and adapted to be moved to its open position under the influence of as pressure; a firing pin movably mounted in the breech closer; a member to momentarily lock the breech closer against opening, said member having relatively small trunnions upon which it rotates upon said casing and having also a passage for the breech closer; means to. operate thefiring-pin; meansiitomove' the breech closer to ItB" closed position; and

vautomatic means to move theirotatable member intoits locking position. Y I

\ upon whichit'rotates on saidcasing and havingalso a. passage for .the. breech closer; Q a secondary firing pin movably'mounted in 11'.- A firearm*?comprising- [a 'casingfa breech closer mounted. to reciprocate on the casing and-adapted to be moved toits-open .-posit1on under the influence .ofgas v 'a'. firing pin movably mounted} 11171; e breech 1 r closer; "a member to momentaril lock the breech closer against opening, a said member having relatively small. trunnions upon which it rotates on said casing and having also a passa e for the breechcloser; means to operate -:t firing pin means to move thebreech closer-to .its closed positionpautothereby but having provision. "for longitudinal movement. with relation theretow 12. A. firearm: comprisin "a. casing;-.'a breech closermounted-to reciprocate ton the casing and, adapted to bemovedto its open position under the influence of gas pressure;

a main firing pin'movably mounted in the breech closer; a member to momentarily lock the breech closer. against opening, said memberv having relatively small trun'n'ions said member and adapted to engage the main firing pin when said member is in its locking position; a hammer to efigage saidsecondary firing pin; trigger mechanism to operate the hammer; spring mechanism to move the breech closer to its closed position; spring mechanism to move therotatable member intoits locking position; and an extractor mounted on the breech closer and operated thereby but having provision for longitudinal movement with relation thereto.

13. A firearm comprising a movable breechcloser; and v a member rotatably mounted on the casing in such" wise as to continuously swing clear .of-saidbreech closer as the latter approaches its rearward position, said breech closer engagingsaid member between its axis and its center of inertia of rotation 'at the instant of discharge and the inertia of said member momentarilyflocking-the breech closer against opening. v

14. A. firearm comprising a breech closer; an extractor; a member movably' mounted on the casing to momentarily lock the breech closer against opening and carrying a striker to operate the extractor.

- 15. In afirearm the combination of a cas ing; a barrel fixed to the casing; a breech closer movably mountedon the casing; and a rotary member mounted on the casing and acted upon by the back pressure'of the gases in the barrel when the piece is fired to moure:

- mental-fly lock .the' closer against opening. 1

r 16. Ina firearm-the combinationbf a casbarrel fixedto the: casing; a longiallyf reciprocating breech closer a rdjtai'y'member mounted on the casi-n' with its "axis crosswiseof the casing, sai member being acted uponiby the back pressure of'the gases in the barrel when the piece is fired to -momentarily "lock the'breech closer against openin f";- 1?. firearm'com rising a breech closer; .anextractor operate by the breech closer; and'aflmeinber to retard the opening of the- .breech closerand rotatable to strike the breech closer. and thereby operate the extracton r I 18.".APfirearm comprising a casing; a breech closer mounted to reciprocate on the casingandadapted to be moved-'to itsop'ena"Iz: embe1'.. mounted independently of the breech closer-to rotate on relatively small trunnions, said breech closer engagin said member near-its axis of rotation at t e instantof discharge andthe inertia of said member momentarily locking the breech closer against opening. a

19.-: A-.firearm comprisinga fixed barrel; a'hammer" to explode the cartridge, said hammer being mounted independentl of the breechcloser, and having relatively small-trunnions upon which it rotates; and a reciprocally, movable breech closer mount ed on the casing and engaging said hammer nearv its axis to maintain momentary closure of the breach by means of inertia and friction when the piece is fired.

I 20.-A firearm comprising a fixed barrel; ahammer to explode the cartridge, said hammer being rotatably mounted independently of the breech closer; and a reciprocally movable breech closer mounted onthe casing and engaging said hammer near its axis to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia and friction when the piece is fired.

21. A firearm comprising a fixed barrel; a movable breech closer; and a member mounted in the casing; having an axis uponwhich it rotates, and having a relatively large portion of-its mass remote from its axis, said breech closer engaging said rotary member between its axis and its center of inertia to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia and friction when 'the piece is fired and turning saidv rotary member out of the path of said breech closer as the inertia and friction are overcome. a

22. A firearm comprising a fixed barrel; a movable breech closer; and a member rotatably mounted independently of the breech closer, and having a relatively large portion of its mass remote from its axis, said 85 positi'onzun'der the influence of gas pressure;

breech closer engaging said rotary member near its axis to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia and fricition when the ipieeeis fined.

23. A firearm comprising a mounted independently of the breech closer, having relatively small trunniens upon which it rotates, and ihaving ;a relatively large portion 3011f its mass remote :from its axis, said breech closer engaging said rotary member near its axis to maintain momensaid hammer forming a closure for said chamber, to retard the rearward movement of said breech closer, and to force air.

through said conduit for the purpose of blowing the residuum of the powder charge from the vicinity of said breech opening when the piece is fired.

25. A firearm comprising a breech opening; an air chamber; a conduit leading from said chamber to said breech opening; a movable bufier forming a closure for said chamber and having a projection extending through a wall of said chamber; and a movable breech closer to engage said projection and force air through said conduit.

26. A firearm comprising a breech opening; a breech closer; an air chamber located out of the path of the breech closer; a conduit leading from said chamber to said breech opening; a movable buffer forming a closure for said chamber and having a projection extending through a wall of said chamber, said breech closer engaging said projection to force air through said conduit.

27. A firearm comprising a casing; a rotary member mounted on the casing and having a relatively large portion of its mass at a distance from its axis: and means acted upon by the pressure of the gases in the barrel when the piece is fired, and engaging said member between its axis and its center of inertia at the instant of discharge, to retard the opening of the breech by meansof inertia and friction and to swing the rotary member out of the prolongation of the bore when said inertia and friction are overcome.

28. In a firearm a rotary inertia block to retard the opening of the breech when the piece is fired, said inertia block being mounted on trunnions independently of the breechcloser, and having a relatively large portion of its mass remote from its axis; and a reciprocally movable breech closer mounted on the casing and engaging said inertia block between its axis and its center of inertia at the instant of discharge for the purpose fixed barrel; a movable breech closer; and a member specified and thereafter swinging it .alear ,of the prolongation of the bore.

:29. Asfirearm-comprising ceasing; ;a hammer to explode :the cartridge, :said being 'rotatably mounted directly .on the easing, and having a relatively large portionicf its mass remote from its axis; and means acted upon-by the pressure of the gases in the barreh-when the piece .115 tired, and engaging said hammer :near its axis at the instant of discharge whereby the opening of the breech is retarded by the inertia of said hammer.

.30. A firearm comprising a.easing;-a hamaner to explode the cartridge, said hammer being mounted independently of (the breech closer, and having trunnions :upon 'which'it rotates, and having :a relatively large 5301- .tion of its mass utemote firom its axis; and .a reciprocally movable breech closer mounted, on the casing and engaging .said hammer near its axis to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia when the piece is fired.

31. A firearm comprising a barrel; :1. mov-' able breech closer; and a member mounted independently of the breech closer and hav ing trunnions upon which it rotates and having a relatively large portion of its mass remote from its axis,.said breech closer engaging said rotary member between its axis and its center of inertia and said member acting independently of the barrel to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia and friction when the piece is fired, and thereafter under the same impulse swinging clear of said breech closer.

32. A firearm comprising a barrel; a rotary inertia block mounted independently of the breech closer and having a relatively large portion of its mass remote from its axis; and means including a breech closer acting independently of the barrel but acted upon by the pressure of thegases in the barrel when the piece is fired and engaging said inertia block between its axis and its center of inertia at the instant of discharge to retard the opening of the breech by reason of the inertia of said rotary block, but continuously turning said rotary block out of the path of movement of said breech closer.

33. A firearm comprising a fixed barrel; a movable breech closer; and a member rotatably mounted independently of the breech closer and having a relatively large portion of its mass remote from its axis; said breech closer engaging said rotary member between its axis and its center of inertia to maintain momentary closure of the breech by means of inertia when the piece is fired, and thereafter continuously swinging said member out of the path of said breech closer.

34. In a firearm a rotary inertia block mounted directly on the casing and having from its axis; and means acted upon by the pressure of the gases in the barrel when the piece is fired and engaging said inertia block between its axis and its center of inertia at the instant of discharge to maintain momentary-closure of the breech by reason of the inertia of said rotary block, and to swing said rotary block out of the prolongation of the bore when said inertia is overcome.

35. In an automatic firearm having-a fixed barrel, a rotary inertia block which closes the line of the bore when in its closed position, and fully clears the line of the bore when in its openposition; means actuated by the pressure of the gases in the barrel when the piece is fired forswinging said inertia block to its open position; means for inserting a fresh cartridge through the space thus cleared; and means to return said inertia block to its closed position after the insertion of the cartridg 36. In a firearm the combination of a casin a line near the axis of the barrel, to malntain momentary closure of the breech by and the friction incident to its rotation. 77 JOSEPH O. WHITE.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL MERRILL, ARTHUR F. RANDALL.

. reason of the inertiaof said rotary member, 

